Lucknow Railway News: Chennai Express Rake Change Announced; New Coaches From July 28 | Details

Passengers travelling from Lucknow to South India via the Chennai Express are set to experience a more comfortable journey, as the train is getting a major upgrade after 34 years. The Indian Railways has decided to replace the existing rake of the Lucknow Junction–Chennai Express (Train No. 16094) with a modern Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) rake.

The upgraded rake will be introduced from Chennai on July 26 and from Lucknow Junction on July 28. The train departs from Lucknow Junction every Monday and Thursday at 4:20 PM, reaching Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Station, Chennai, at 7:00 AM on the third day, covering a distance of 2,089 km in 38 hours and 40 minutes.

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The new rake will comprise:

-1 AC Second Class Coach

-3 AC Third Tier Coaches

-8 Sleeper Coaches

-4 General Second Class Coaches

However, despite repeated passenger demands, AC First Class and pantry/kitchen coaches have not been included in the new configuration.

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Introduced in January 1991 as the Gomti–Sagar Express, the train was later renamed and rerouted from Lucknow station to Lucknow Junction. Initially hauled by a WDM-3 diesel engine up to Jhansi, the train would then switch to an electric locomotive. Over the years, the train has gained popularity, especially among passengers travelling towards Itarsi and Mumbai, even though it was once relatively underutilised.

The modernisation of the Chennai Express rake is expected to enhance passenger comfort and safety, aligning with Indian Railways’ broader efforts to phase out older ICF coaches with safer LHB ones.